The Relationship between Plasma Level of Immunoreactive Atrial Natriuretic Factor and Hemodynamic Function in Man

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the relationship between plasma level of immunoreactive atrial natriaretic factor(IR-ANF) and atrial functional index, we studied 28 cardiac patients undergoing cardiac catheterization.Plasma level of IR-ANF in aorta or pulmonary artery was significantly correlated with mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, right atrial mean pressure and pulmonary arterial mean pressure, but not with left artrial dimension. To evaluate the relationship between plasma level of IR-ANF and ventricular function index, we selected 13 patients who had normal artrial pressure and no mitral valular disease among 28 patients.Among ventricular functional indices, only left ventricualr end diastolic pressure was significantly correlated with plasma level of IR-ANF in aorta or pulmonary artery. Other indices, such as cardiac index, ejection fraction and aortic systolic blood pressure were not correlated with plasma level of IR-ANF in aorta or pulmonary artery. We concluded that increase in either left atrial pressure may trigger ANF release in man, although ventricles may not be involved in ANF release significantly.